Improving Your Academic Writing

Why Academic Writing Matters

• Academic writing communicates ideas clearly, supports arguments with evidence, and follows a structured format.

• Strong writing builds credibility and helps you succeed in college and beyond.

Writing Process Overview

• Prewriting: Understand your assignment, brainstorm, and outline your ideas.

• Drafting: Write your first draft without worrying about perfection.

• Revising: Improve organization, clarity, and argumentation.

• Editing & Proofreading: Check for grammar, punctuation, citations, and formatting.

Tips for Strong Academic Writing

• Be clear and concise: Avoid unnecessary words or jargon.

• Stay objective: Use evidence to support your claims; avoid personal opinions unless required.

• Organize your ideas: Use paragraphs, headings, and topic sentences.

• Use credible sources: Cite everything you use (APA, MLA, etc.).

• Proofread: Always check for errors before submitting.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

• Run-on sentences: Break long sentences into shorter ones.

• Passive voice: Use active voice for clarity (“The researcher found…”).

• Vague language: Be specific (“many factors” → “three factors: cost, time, and quality”).

• Plagiarism: Paraphrase or quote and always cite your sources.

Resources & Tutorials

• UNT Writing Center: UNT Writing Center

• Purdue OWL: Academic Writing: Purdue OWL Academic Writing

• Excelsior Online Writing Lab: Excelsior Online Writing Lab